asked the Secretary of State for Air what operational experience either the Duke of Hamilton or Lord Nigel Douglas Hamilton has gained to qualify them as group captains?

The officers referred to are fully qualified by their Service experience for the rank which they now hold.

Arising from the hon. and gallant gentleman's Reply, which is completely unsatisfactory, is he aware that there is considerable uneasiness in the Royal Air Force at the appointment of officers who have not more operational experience to such positions, and will he bear that in mind in making future appointments?

Both these officers served in operational units for some years in peace-time. The Duke of Hamilton is holding an operational post now. I am not aware that there are any misgivings on the matter, and I think my right hon. Friend and his Service advisers are really the best judges of the suitability of officers for particular appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has inquired into the case of Mr. H. W. Codd, of Nairobi; and what action he proposes to take?

Mr. Codd was engaged locally at Nairobi, and no information is available in my Department about the reasons for his discharge. I am arranging for a report to be obtained. When this is received I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the appeal for volunteers for the defence of Royal Air Force aerodromes indicates any alteration in the present system or in responsibility; to what extent the work is undertaken, respectively, by Army and Royal Air Force personnel, and under whose command; and whether he is satisfied that, in the light of recent events, all possible steps have now been taken to repel airborne enemy attacks?

No, Sir. There has been no recent change of policy in this matter. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger).

Does it not follow from the recent appeal that there are, in effect, two bodies, one belonging to the Army and the other to the Royal Air Force, both engaged in some manner in the defence of aerodromes?

It also follows from the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that it would not be in the public interest or expedient to go into these detailed matters except in Secret Session, and the Prime Minister also said that he was satisfied that a clear-cut decision had been reached in connection with the arrangements.

Would it not be very much better to have one authority responsible for dealing with aerodromes, and not two?

If we were in Secret Session, I could no doubt reply to that question.

Surely it is possible to ask who is definitely responsible, the Army or the Air Force?

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said yesterday, the prime responsibility rests with the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what steps have been taken in accord with the latest recommendation of the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their Fifteenth Report, for the discontinuance of Sunday labour; and with what effect?

Fulltime contractors to my Ministry have been notified that Sunday work should now be restricted to cases in which its continuance is necessary in order to meet emergencies. I have no reason to think that contractors will not comply with these instructions.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend able to say whether the majority of contractors agree with the Committee's view that on balance Sunday work is of no value?

It is a little early to determine that.

Will the Minister keep in mind that the cost-plus-percentage basis is an incentive to contractors to work on Sundays?

Yes, Sir

Is there any truth in statements which are circulated that there is not sufficient material, and that this causes difficulties?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport when the vacancy on the London Passenger Transport Board, caused by the expiry of the appointment of Mr. Frank Pick, is to be filled?

When this vacancy on the Board appeared last year, it was thought to be unnecessary that it should be filled for the time being. The need for filling the vacancy is reviewed from time to time, but I cannot say at present when an appointment will be made by the Appointing Trustees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will inquire into the present inadequate arrangements for conveying workers to mines and factories in South Wales; and whether he will take steps so to reorganise transport as to enable workers regularly to attend their places of employment?

:As my hon. Friend and I both know, communications between the different valleys of South Wales are in general difficult. Quite a number of persons are now taking longer and unaccustomed journeys to their work. I do not agree that there is any general inadequacy of transport in the area, but if my hon. Friend will inform me of any particular difficulties not yet overcome I will gladly see whether further transport cannot be made available.

Is the Minister not aware that representations have been made, both in this House and to the Regional Commissioner and Traffic Commissioner in South Wales, that the position is still chaotic, and that many miners lose days each week because of the chaotic condition of the traffic? When is he going to take action in the matter?

:I know that representations have been made to the Regional Transport Commissioner in the area. We have been in touch with him, and he has informed us that he is doing what he can to make things better. If my hon. Friend still thinks there are some cases where there have not been improvements and will let me know the particulars, I will go into the matter myself.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that representations have been made to other Ministries in an effort to get something done, and that we have been hammering at it for six months? Will the Minister have an investigation made on the spot to see whether something cannot be done?

I hope my hon. Friend will tell me exactly where these places are, and I will go into the matter myself.

Read the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In discussing these arrangements in other parts of the country, is it better for a Member to apply to the Regional Commissioner or the Ministry of Transport?

:I think it is better for the local interests to apply to the local Commissioner. If the local people cannot get it done, the matter will come on the plane where an hon. Member will take it up with the Ministry, and I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Information what salaries are paid to each of the 42 persons employed in canvassing public opinion; what action is taken on their reports; the ages of the youngest and oldest so employed; by whom they were chosen; and the number selected from the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour?

The salaries paid to the interviewers range from £5 to £6 per week, according to qualifications and experience. Their reports are sent in most cases to the Ministries which ask for them. I am not, therefore, in a position to say what action is taken on them. Their ages range from 23 to 53 years. None of them have been selected from the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour, but two have been selected from the Supplementary Register of the Ministry of Labour. The details of the method of selection of the other interviewers was given in my answer to the hon. Member's Question of 7th August, 1940.

Is it not a fact that the House of Commons can best reflect public opinion and that these people might be better employed doing something else? Will the Minister wipe out the whole of this unnecessary organisation and apply the Concentration of Industry Order to it?

This matter once formed a subject of Debate, when it was explained that the facts about which these people are asked to make inquiries by other Departments, such as the Ministry of Food and the Board of Trade, can be ascertained only by expert and immediate inquiry. They are not matters about which Members of Parliament are expected to exercise their minds. The facts relate to such matters as food restrictions and their working in certain districts about which the Food Ministry want expert advice. These inquiries, which are performing a very useful function, have caused no complaint during the last 12 months.

Does the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that these young men of 23, who ought to be somewhere else, are really the best judges on these matters?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member has observed that they are nearly all young women.

asked the Minister of Information with reference to a recent conference at Cambridge addressed by his Parliamentary Secretary, what extra petrol facilities were offered to those entitled to attend; and the total number of units issued for this occasion?

:Petrol coupons were offered to members of local information committees who were unable, in a district in which cross-country train facilities are notoriously difficult, to make the journey by other means. Steps were taken to see that cars should be fully occupied. The total number of units issued was 196.

Will the Minister see that petrol is always allocated effectively and that there is no waste?

It is not my duty to see that: there is no waste of petrol, but I am sure the petrol used on this occasion was, in the opinion of those who took advantage of it, well worth while.

Can the Minister say what steps are taken to ensure that coupons are not used for single individuals?

:I can give an example of one particular individual who refused to collaborate with the others, and accept the company of three other people in his car. He was refused petrol.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will sympathetic ally consider the possibility of arranging with appropriate American authorities facilities for visiting this country of several representative American writers, painters, editors, photographers and art directors?

Yes, Sir, I am already taking such steps as are possible for this purpose.

Does the Minister realise that his statement will give great satisfaction both to American and British artists?

asked the Minister of Information what are now the numbers of regional representatives and local in formation committees of the Ministry; what is their cost in salaries and expenses; and what is the total annual cost of the social survey service, including headquarters and region activities?

:The regional officers of the Ministry of Information number 13 and the local information committees 411. The costs to the Ministry for the year ending 31st March last were £7,457 and £3,641 respectively. The total annual cost of the War-time Social Survey for the year ending 31st Mar, 1941, was £10,273, including both headquarters and regional activities.

Does the Minister realise that an appeal is being made by the Minister of Labour to obtain the services of young women as well as men for really important national work?

asked the Minister of Information what experience has the head of the Spanish section of the Ministry of Information of the psychological angle from which Spanish people would regard current events?

The head of the Spanish section is intimately acquainted with Spain and the Spanish people. He speaks the language fluently.

Is it not a fact that the head of the Spanish section was formerly assistant keeper, second class, of the architectural and sculptural section of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and that he had had no recent experience of Spain?

I think the fact that a man has been employed in a museum does not reflect adversely on his qualifications.

Does the Minister realise that it is more important where his sympathies lie, and that it is perfectly useless to appeal in Spain to the late supporters of General Franco, as they are thoroughly in sympathy with the Axis?

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are made for mental health work among evacuated children and in bombed areas; and whether assistance will be given to the Mental Health Emergency Committee for this work?

Mental health work among children is a normal development of the mental health services and in particular of the school medical service with which child guidance clinics are associated in many areas. A number of hostels have been established for difficult children in reception areas, and it is desirable that in every Region some of these hostels should be earmarked for children requiring mental treatment and should be associated where practicable with child guidance clinics. A grant from Exchequer funds was made to the Mental Health Emergency Committee in respect of the year ended 31st March last, and application for a further grant is now under consideration.

Does the Department recognise the value of the work of the health workers under this Committee, and will it give it further support?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether effect is to be given to the recommendations 33 to 35 of the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their Fourteenth Report with regard to the arrangement and administration of the London sectors of the Emergency Hospitals Scheme?

The extent to which effect can be given at the present time to the Select Committee's recommendations on the London sectors is being considered in conjunction with the several officers and bodies concerned. Certain rearrangements have already been made which will reduce the number of sectors by one as from next week.

I hope the local authorities will also be brought into the matter because of the very great overlapping that there is.

Local authorities are being included in the discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, when units leave a station, considerable stores of unused food are frequently left behind because the regulations do not provide for the return of food stores in excess of requirements; and will he take steps to prevent such waste occurring?

:Instructions have been issued with a view to restricting demands for perishable foodstuffs to the daily requirements of units and to securing the underdrawal of items of a non-perishable nature of which a sufficient stock is held in the unit's store. There should, therefore, never be a surplus of perishable foodstuffs, and any stock of non-perishable items which might have to be left in store in the event of a sudden move should be reported by the unit for disposal instructions. If my hon. Friend knows of any case in which these instructions have not been carried out, I shall be very glad to look into it.

I will inform my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered a report from the coroner for North Gloucestershire of an inquest on six children killed by a shell explosion cen- suring the military authorities for their disregard of public safety in leaving live shells on common land after firing practice; will he give an assurance that steps have been taken to prevent a similar tragedy occurring elsewhere; and will compensation be paid to the parents of the six children who lost their lives and to two other children injured by the explosion by which one lost an arm?

I have called for a report on this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

If the facts are as alleged in the Question, will consideration be given to the question of granting compensation?

Certainly compensation will be considered if it is shown that we are liable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether full use is being made of officers of the Regular Reserve, who, since returning to civil life, have risen to positions of responsibility in business and elsewhere, but on returning to the Colours find themselves junior to Regular officers of many years less ser vice and experience; and whether, in view of the vital importance of ensuring that initiative and administrative experience are found among the senior ranks, he will take steps to have the records of officers of the Regular Reserve gone through, with a view to their advancement not being held up from a purely technical seniority point of view, if their records show that they are fitted for higher command?

An officer's advancement to a higher post depends entirely on his qualifications for that post and not on his seniority. Full account is naturally taken of any special qualifications which an officer of the Regular Army Reserve may have acquired in civil life, and officers possessing such qualifications are invited to submit particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether reports have been received recently from the medical officers of the camps provided in Scotland under the Camps Act, 1939; whether he can give any information from those reports showing the effect of camp life on the health of the children; and whether, in the case of the camp for Dundee children which was closed for some time, there was any effect on the physical condition of the children consequent on their absence from the camp?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that the quarterly reports submitted by the camp medical officers show that residence at the camps has had a markedly beneficial effect on the health and physical condition of the children, most of whom have gained in height and weight and have shown an increased resistance to infection. When Belmont Camp was reopened those children who returned were found to have lost in weight during their absence of three months.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount paid to Messrs. MacBrayne's Company in respect of the Western Isles Steamer Service each year since the renewal of their contract; and whether he will give the amounts for different purposes separately, with the increases over the previous comparable periods?

I have been asked to reply. The subsidy of £60,000 per annum payable to this company under the contract of 31st December, 1938, was not related to particular services but was in respect of the general services scheduled to the contract as a whole, and it is therefore not possible to state how much has been paid in successive years in respect of the Western Isles Steamer Service, or to give the amounts for different purposes separately. The outbreak of war led to very considerable increases in the costs of running and to decreases in receipts, with the result that it became necesary to introduce new arrangements which will be expressed in annual contracts. The payments made in respect of the years 1939 and 1940 were £70,738 and £169,000 respectively.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that though the subsidies and other payments have gone up, the service has deteriorated very markedly, and is he aware moreover that the freight charges have increased by a large percentage, out of all proportion to the excuses which have been used?

I am afraid the service has deteriorated, largely from the fact that some of the better steamers are doing what is really more important national service than taking people to and from the Western Isles, although that is important.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are very good reasons for these steamers going to and from the Western Isles at the moment, and that they are becoming more important every day? Service men by thousands are going to and fro and have a right to some comfort?

I appreciate that it is an important service, but some of the ships that have been taken over by the Admiralty are doing equally, and probably more, important work.

What about the ships that are and have been on the service for many years? Why should their service deteriorate?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping (1) whether the certificate of the steamship "Clydesdale" to carry 168 passengers, contingent on the deck space not being otherwise occupied, has been reviewed in recent years in the light of modern comfort and safety standards, especially in view of the fact that steerage and deck cabins are now occupied by the crew; and whether he will investigate the records of the number of passengers and amounts of cargo carried nightly when this vessel was recently on the Stornoway—Kyle of Lochalsh run, especially on 24th May, and inform the House whether the certified maximum loads can still with safety be carried in view of the vessel's age and condition;

(2) whether, during the period of her use recently on the Stornoway—Kyle of Lochalsh run, life-jackets and other life-saving appliances on the steamship "Clydesdale" were sufficient, and so distributed on board as to be freely avail- able to passengers; and whether he will take action in the interest of passengers and crew to ensure that the fullest safety precautions are always taken?

I am making inquiries into the points raised in these Questions, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Will note also be taken of the representations which have been put forward now for the past seven years about the use of this steamer, which is in a state of senility?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can now indicate his proposals for the control of the price of fish?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now in a position to announce controlled and reduced prices for fish?

An Order prescribing maximum prices from producer to consumer will be made this week, to come into operation on Monday, 30th June The prices prescribed will be on a substantially lower level at each stage of distribution than those now ruling.

Were those prices arrived at in agreement with all the parties concerned?

My hon. Friend will "remember that my Noble Friend was not satisfied with the prices put forward by the trade. The present prices are prescribed by him. The Order will be published this week.

Has the Minister the power to requisition steam trawlers? If so, will he consider requisitioning the entire steam trawler fleet to fish for the State under the management of a panel of experienced trawler owners?

My Noble Friend has such power, and, if the necessity arose, he would have no hesitation in using it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in apportioning corn to owners of pigeons, he will see that members of the National Pigeon Service do not get a share which is unfair to the small breeder, but that all who are willing to provide suitable birds for Government use shall receive equal treatment?

I cannot undertake to provide rationed feeding-stuffs for pigeons other than those owned by members of the National Pigeon Service. The constitution of that organisation and the number of birds to be maintained are the concern of the Service Departments.

Will not the Government allow the small men equality of treatment with the more wealthy ones?

There is equality of treatment.

Is the Minister aware that he promised to look into the matter still further?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Ministry have recently issued an order directing that ration books must be deposited with the management of catering establishments whereas the Board of Trade have issued an order stating that ration books must Be handed over to guests wishing to make purchases of clothing; and whether he will inform the House how the management of such establishments can mark off food coupons if the owner complies with the direction of the Board of Trade?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The Rationing Order dated 27th December, 1939, provides that it is the duty of the resident in a catering establishment to produce his ration book to the management in order that the appropriate coupons may be cancelled. In practice, as a matter of convenience, the books are often handed over to the management and collected by the resident when he leaves. As, however, the management only requires to deal with the appropriate coupons once a week I do not appreciate the difficulty which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

Is the Minister aware that there is great difficulty for people who have a number of guests in their houses in keeping to his directions to keep the ration books so as to obtain the rations?

I have come across these difficulties in the last few days and I will inquire into the matter further.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements will be made to allow consumers the option of either taking the proposed extra cheese ration or of retaining the present butter ration?

No, Sir. The proposal of my hon. Friend is impracticable.

Why does the Minister think this is an impracticable step to take?

When people change their minds it becomes very difficult to deal with these matters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what exact meaning is given to the official term "black market"; and what steps are being taken to deal with it?

The term "black market" is in common use as descriptive of surreptitious transactions in which commodities have been bought or sold at prices above those prescribed by the appropriate orders. The organisation to deal with this evil, so far as foodstuffs are concerned, is being strengthened, but it is obviously not in the public interest that I should indicate in what manner.

:As there has been a black market for a long time in every commodity that the Ministry has controlled, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to see that no black market starts on Monday?

I shall be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend can tell me how to stop it. No black market would exist in this country if consumers did not support it.

Will the Minister keep a special eye on the street markets of London, which are difficult to control?

My hon. Friend will appreciate the enormous difficulty involved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a large number of farmers who have sold potatoes to the Ministry have not yet been paid, although in some cases delivery was made as early as February; that applications to the headquarters of the Ministry's potato section have been ineffective; and whether, in order to avoid financial hardship to small growers, he will take steps to see that the terms of the contracts, which provide for payment within 10 days of delivery, are in future strictly adhered to?

If my hon. Friend would be good enough to put this Question down for answer later, when the inquiries now being made have been completed, I shall be in a position to give him a full reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the dumping into the sea at a northern port, about 17th June, of a large catch of herring; what are the circumstances of the incident; why no steps were taken to acquire the fish by the Ministry; why no action was taken by the local food committee to obtain the fish for distribution; and what instructions have been given to prevent any further similar waste of foodstuffs?

The fish in question was in such poor condition that it could not be marketed or pickled for future use. Had the vessels concerned landed their catch at the usual ports the difficulty would not have arisen, and the attention of the owners' association is being drawn to this point.

Was the whole of this fish unusable?

Much was unusable, but the public were allowed to take away free of charge as many of the edible fish as they wished.